Phil subsequently became a performer in his own right, and has enjoyed worldwide success with his Tranquility series of albums, the latest of which, Timeless Tranquility, has just been released. He is married to Geraldine, and they have six children, Danielle, Dominique, Daragh, Alexandra, Georgina and Ronan.

After Ronnie left the Dubliners, he continued his hugely successful career as a solo performer, and has collaborated with performers like Eleanor Shanley, Mike Hanrahan, and the late Professor Peter O'Brien. He is married to Deirdre, and has a daughter Cliodhna, son Phelim, and four grandchildren.

Ronnie is currently undergoing treatment for throat cancer, and has recently released a new album, There's Life in the Old Dog Yet, which was produced by Phil.

Phil on Ronnie I was considered to be a hot record producer when I first met Ronnie in the '70s, and was used to working with disciplined orchestras, or bands like the Bay City Rollers, who just did what they were told. Enter the Dubliners, who lost no time in letting me know that whatever the dynamic was between me and the other bands, it was not going to work with them, and in the forefront of that educating process, was one Mr Drew.

Ronnie made it clear that things were going to happen at their pace rather than mine, and after a few standoffs, we came to a kind of compromise, where for example, coming back to the recording session after lunch with half the pub in tow was not on! It was the most challenging thing I'd ever taken on up until then, but definitely the most fun, Ronnie and I always had a great affection and rapport with one another, and we had a mutual interest in horses, and used to go riding together. People who don't know him as anything other than Ronnie Drew the icon, may have thought in those days that he was a hard-drinking, hard-living bowsie, which was to do him a great disservice.

There's a class about him, and a thoughtfulness that many people wouldn't equate with Ronnie, but he's very deep and bright and well-read, and has a voracious appetite for knowledge, literature and culture. I've had a few family tragedies, and Ronnie travelled up north to all the funerals, which meant a lot to me and speaks volumes about the man.

The new album came about because I've always felt that there are two parts to Ronnie . . . the theatrical side and the balladeer. We picked reflective songs that only a man in his 70s can sing with credibility, and Ronnie brought his wealth of life experience to them and gave new meaning and sense to the lyrics. I wrote the title track, 'There's Life in the Old Dog Yet' especially for him, and it turned out to be ironic, in light of what's going on for him with his health, but I knew that Ronnie is very positive about his prognosis and we're looking forward doing some gigs together next year.

There's a soft core to Ronnie and he's as vulnerable as the next man, but he's old school and tough and he wouldn't be crying on anyone's shoulders. He was quite proud of the fact that the doctor told him he wouldn't be able to give the same treatment to many people of his age, but he could give it to Ronnie as he was so fit. I said to him, "Ronnie, that's obviously a testament to the sort of lifestyle you've lived for the past 50 years!"

Ronnie on Phil I seem to have known Phil forever really, and he produced some of the best recordings that the Dubliners ever made, although I think we came as a shock to his system. Luke Kelly had a bit of a party one day, and we arrived into his studio in London in a Rolls Royce and an open-top Mercedes, having been on the piss the night before. So we more or less told poor Phil that we were going to the pub around the corner to continue the party, and he could join us if he wanted to, so he did! He wasn't used to this kind of thing happening, because Phil is very organised, and is a consummate professional.

I made my new record with him earlier this year, and I don't think I've ever done anything that was as problem-free in my life. He organised everything and all I had to do was turn up and sing, but he's a sneaky bugger as well because he'd have me over at his house, and despite myself, I'd find myself running through the songs even though I wouldn't be a great one for rehearsing. It all went so smoothly and before you'd know it, there'd be a track done.

Phil is very hospitable, and he threw one of the best parties I was ever at in my life in his house, with people like Christy Moore, Paul Brady and Billy Connolly at it. Now sometimes at these supposedly great parties, nobody really knows anybody and they all go to see what one another is wearing, as far as I can see, but this was a really fantastic night. We were all telling yarns and playing music, and everyone was enjoying themselves and nobody cared who anyone else was, everyone was just interested in the stories and what each other had to say.

I hold Phil in very high esteem, and I have a lot of respect for him. We just seemed to hit it off from the very beginning, and we have a lot of similar tastes, strangely enough. We always have a bit of fun working together, and he manages to control things without seeming to do so, and always has his eye on the ball, whereas I'd get distracted by other things.

Phil is a very good friend, and I can always call him immediately in times of trouble. He has been so solicitous since I became sick, always on the phone to see how I am, and I know he'd do anything to help. It's the support of my family and friends like Phil that is helping me get through this time, and I'm really looking forward to touring with him when I'm better.